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Articles

Volume 08, Number 2 (1983)

Tremoured with Fire: Duncan Campbell Scott's Love Poetry

  • Catherine Kelly
Submitted
May 22, 2008
Published
1983-06-06

Abstract

D.C. Scott's "The Water Lily" deals with transcendent experience on the personal, intimate level, which is best communicated figuratively in terms of sexual love. "June Lyrics" and "Twelfth Anniversary" deal with sexual encounter and relationship in marriage in terms of the total expression of human nature, where the transcendent ground of being is an intrinsic and essential reality. The emphasis of these poems is different but complementary. However, in view of the emphasis of his poetry in general, it is notable that Scott deals in depth with this loving relationship present in transcendent experience. Not only does the personal element explain something of the psychology which allows human nature to dare to enter on a serious religious quest, but it helps to balance the more mysterious elements which confound a finite being with insecurity, if not with fear.